Maritime policemen seized approximately 150 tons of fossilized giant clam shells locally known as taklobo during an operation at a resort in Palawan on Monday.
The giant clams with an estimated market value of P250 million were seized during a law-enforcement operation by the Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine National Police Maritime Group and Navy intelligence agents at the King’s Paradise Island Resort, Barangay Panitian, Sofronio Espaniola, Palawan.
The Coast Guard identified four people behind the violation—Eulogio Josos Togonon, Totong Josos, Nonoy Guliman, and Vilmor Pajardo—residents of Barangay Iraray, Sofronio Espaniola, Palawan. However, only Togonon was apprehended during the operation.
The officials of Barangay Panitian took custody of the confiscated items, while Togonon was brought to the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD) for inquest proceedings and filing of appropriate charges.
Togonon was charged for violating Section 27 of Republic Act 9147, or the “Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act.” Rene Acosta